Living Psalm 139 – Ascension Day

Living Psalms Book

Psalms in the form of words and art, reborn in the specific contexts of our world, privileging the voices of historically marginalized communities and those acting in solidarity with them.

Living Psalm 139
– Cheryl A. Lindsay for the Antoinette Brown Society 2024

O Divine Weaver, Creator of Tapestries and Garments,
You touch the threads of me. You know each one.
When I am stretched or loosed,
When I get tangled or unraveled,
You trace my pattern and gather me together.

Each stitch bears your craftiness.
Each loop turns me in the direction you have for me.
You move me on the loom.
You hold me in the crochet hook.
You order me with the knitting needles.

It is too much, too precious, too inconceivable.
That you take your time with the meticulous work
Of making me whole, complete, beautiful, complex, unique,
When I start to fall apart, you catch my ends.

When I become undone, you tink and you tink and you tink.
You make me new without destroying the good work started in me.
You keep me close and your hand is upon me continually.
Always crafting, always creating, always shaping.

For it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Your work is wonderful.
I am your work.
Made with wonder and awe.
A testament to your skill
A demonstration of your creativity and grace.
I am woven into the pattern of creation
Never in isolation…always in community

All my days like rows upon rows of your stitching
And knitting and tinking and creating.
I am still the work of your hands.
I am still with you,
Searched by you.
Known by you.
Loved by you.
Woven by you.

Living-Psalm-139 Download

Living Psalm for Ascension Day – Psalm 139 was written by Cheryl Lindsay.

Living Psalms Book is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group, a Network of UCC connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community. Maren Tirabassi, editor

Logo is detail from Living Psalm 80 by Sophia Beardemphl, Redwoods, CA. Recovering from significant bullying, Sophia, age nine, read Psalm 80 and thought of brokenness that needs mending. She drew this broken and mended bowl.